Russia attacks targets across Ukraine with missiles and drones

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Authorities say Russia has fired cruise and ballistic missiles and Shahed-type drones at targets across Ukraine. Officials said the Wednesday morning attack killed at least five civilians and wounded almost 50 others. The attacks targeted at least three major Ukrainian cities including the capital. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell was in Kyiv discussing military aid and financial support for Ukraine. Western help is desperately needed by Ukraine which is struggling with ammunition and personnel shortages.

Bombings at Pakistani political offices kill at least 30 a day

QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — Bombs have ripped through two separate political offices in southwestern Pakistan a day before the country is set to elect a new parliament. Officials said Wednesday at least 30 people were killed and more than two dozen wounded in Baluchistan province, home to a low-level insurgency and various militant groups. They raise concerns ahead of the balloting in the troubled Western ally where many voters are already disillusioned by political feuding and a seemingly intractable economic crisis.

Killer whales trapped in drift ice has apparently safely escaped

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese officials say a pod of killer whales that was trapped in drift ice off the northern main island of Hokkaido, prompting concern from environmental groups, has apparently safely escaped. The killer whales, also known as orcas, were initially spotted by a local fisherman who reported them to officials in the nearby town of Rausu on the northeastern coast of Hokkaido on Tuesday morning. After analyzing drone footage filmed by a conservationist group, officials counted 13 killer whales there. The officials returned to the coast Tuesday evening and saw the pod had moved to the north, and it was gone when they returned again Wednesday morning, a Rausu official said.

Drone strike in Baghdad kills high-ranking militia commander, officials say

BAGHDAD (AP) — Militia officials say a drone strike has hit a car in the Iraqi capital and killed three members of the powerful Kataib Hezbollah militia, including a high-ranking commander. Two officials with Iranian-backed militias in Iraq said that one of those killed was the commander in charge of Kataib Hezbollah’s operations in Syria. U.S. officials have said they suspect Kataib Hezbollah in particular of leading the drone attack that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan in late January.